The Distribution Cluster Bar is designed to fit to wooden and concrete poles and to form an integral part of being able to establish an equipotential zone. Up to 3 grounding clamps can be attached to the brass rod that forms the handle`.
The Distribution Cluster BarFor line mechanics, cluster bars, also known as grounding cl... More is designed to fit to wooden and concrete poles and to form an integral part of being able to establish an equipotential zoneAn equipotential zone (EPZ) is an area where all metal work ... More. Up to 3 ground clampsGround Clamps are clamps used to secure a cable to the earth... More can be attached to the brass rod that forms the handleAn operating pole designed to be permanently attached to a l... More.
While climbing a pole and creating the Equipotential ZoneAn equipotential zone (EPZ) is an area where all metal work ... More (EPZ), it is imperative to use a cluster barFor line mechanics, cluster bars, also known as grounding cl... More that is installed in the correct location. Installation below the line worker’s feet ensures that the body of the worker is in the EPZ during de-energized and grounded line maintenance. This installation helps reduce the current flow through the body in the event of a fault currentFault current is the abnormal, high current flow through an... More. As previously mentioned, it is recommended that the cluster barFor line mechanics, cluster bars, also known as grounding cl... More be in conductive contact if it is being used on a wooden pole.
The Electricity Engineers’ Association (EEA), in section 7.4.1 of their “Guide to Power System EarthingElectrical earthing, also known as grounding, is a safety m... More Practice”, say:
When work is carried out on overhead conductors, by line workers from a position on a support structure, a cluster mount or similar workplace earthingElectrical earthing, also known as grounding, is a safety m... More point must be installed to achieve equipotential zoneAn equipotential zone (EPZ) is an area where all metal work ... More (EPZ) bondingElectrical bonding and grounding are crucial safety measure... More. This should be located on the pole in close proximity to the work site and below the point where the line workers’ feet contact the pole. The pole must have means for the cluster mount or earthingElectrical earthing, also known as grounding, is a safety m... More point to make good electrical contact with the steel pole or be bonded to the reinforcement of the concrete poles.
Some consideration in the design should be given to the permanent facilities that may be required to accommodate installation of the portable earths. The requirements for portable earths are described in the EEAThe Electricity Engineers' Association (EEA) is a profession... More ‘Guide to work on de-energised distribution overhead lines’.
For steel poles a lug welded to the pole can identify the position where the cluster mount should be fitted.
On concrete poles without a downlead, cluster mounts or an earthingElectrical earthing, also known as grounding, is a safety m... More point should be bonded or mounted onto a pole fitting for EPZ bondingElectrical bonding and grounding are crucial safety measure... More. The pole fitting must be connected to the reinforcement. Neither this fitting nor its internal connection to the reinforcement is typically fault rated, so an independent temporary earth electrode should be installed when the cluster mount is fitted. When the temporary earth electrode, cluster mount or workplace earth point are being used to achieve an EPZ, these fittings and leads must be rated for the prospective fault currentFault current is the abnormal, high current flow through an... More as these form the prospective fault path.
Where no means exist of making a cluster mount or workplace earth point EPZ bond to the concrete reinforcement, then a potential difference may occur during a fault. Restrictions should be applied to the use of the pole to access the transmission line. These should be designed to eliminate – as far as practical – the exposure of the line workers to a potentially hazardous voltage.
In addition to working on wooden poles, cluster bars are also ideal when working from an insulated bucket truck. If a line worker’s body makes contact with a portion of the pole or crossarm, the potential for hazardous current flowing through a worker’s body could occur if the items are not bonded. In this instance, it is recommended that a cluster barFor line mechanics, cluster bars, also known as grounding cl... More be installed on the pole below the working area.
Part Number: FC-100530-02
Drawing Number: 331395
